Truck



E. K. PETERSON Jan. 31, 195K) TRUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1945gmmmm Earl K.P@c,evsov 3543 KMfl MOMMA J an 311, W@ E. K. PETERSON TRUCK3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1945 ijwuwwo Eafl K. Peter Jam, 31, 1195 9KPETERSQN 2,495,943

TRUCK Filed Dec. 10, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE TRUCK Earl K. Peterson, Valley City, N. Dak.

Application December 10, 1945, Serial No. 633,975

6 Claims.

My invention relates to trucks employing a tractor, a trailer and asemi-trailer and has for an object to provide a construction by means ofwhich the movement of the trailer and semitrailer may be more positivelcontrolled when the truck and trailer are backed up.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a constructionwhereby when the trailer is to be backed up, the wheels of thesemi-trailer are brought into close position with respect to the Wheelsof the truck, so as to cause the wheels of the semi-trailer to travelmore closely in the same circle as the wheels of the truck.

Another object of the invention resides in providing means for lockingthe semi-trailer from lateral movement with respect to the tractor whenthe wheels of the semi-trailer are disposed in proximity to the wheelsof the tractor.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a constructionwhereby the semi-trailer may be locked from longitudinal movement ineither its normal forward operating position or in its backing-upposition.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the semi-trailer witha longitudinally movable king pin adapted to engage the fifth wheel ofthe truck.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterillustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a portion of a truck, trailer and asemi-trailer illustrating an embodiment of my invention and with thesemitrailer in normal forward traveling position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the semi-trailer in positionfor backing.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the semi-trailer shown in Fig. 1 illustratingthe king pin in normal forward operating position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the king pin in backing-upposition.

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 anddrawn to a greater scale.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown a truck whichincludes a tractor H, a trailer l2 and a semi-trailer l3. Since bothtractors and trailers are well known in the art, only so much of thesevehicles as becomes necessary to illustrate the instant invention havebeen shown in the drawings. These various parts will now be described indetail.

The tractor H includes a chassis l4 which has front supportin wheels,not shown, and rear supporting wheels l5. These wheels are mounted uponan axle I6 carried by springs I? and driven from the engine of thetractor in the customary manner. The chassis 44 includes longitudinalframe members I8 and to which the springs I! are secured by means ofshackles 20. The said chassis further includes a box-like transverseframe member 49 which is secured to the longitudinal frame members nearthe ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 2.

In addition, the said frame members support bearings l9 which are boltedthereto by means of bolts 2i and which have pivotally attached to themat 22 a fifth wheel 23 of the ordinary construction. In the drawings, aportion of the cab 24 of the tractor is also shown, as well as thegasoline tank 25.

The trailer l2 consists primarily of a body 26 which, in the formillustrated, is merely a box in which the freight to be hauled isplaced. This body includes a bottom 2'! which is provided with a kingpin 28 at the forward portion of the same. The trailer I2 is supportedby means of rear wheels or a suitable truck which has not been shown inthe drawings, but which may be of con ventional form and design.

The semi-trailer I3 is best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, and comprisesa frame structure 29 having two longitudinally extending frame members3| and 32. These frame members have depending portions 33 and forwardlyextending portions 3 1. The forward portions 34 of the two frame members3i and 32 are connected together by means of a plate 35, best shown inFig. 5, and a number of transverse frame members 36, 31 and 38. Thedepending portions 33 of said frame members are connected together bymeans of plates 41] and other frame members forming a box-like structureat the rearward portion of the trailer. A transverse frame member 42,located at the for ward portion of the depending portions 313 of framemembers 3| and 32, serves a purpose to be presently more fullydescribed. Another plate 43 having a recess 44 formed therein lies atthe bottom of the portions 33 and serves a purpose to be presentlydescribed.

The semi-trailer l3 includes supporting wheels 45 which are mounted uponan axle 46. This axle is supported by means of springs 41 which areattached to the plate 43 of the frame 29 by means of shackles 48. All ofthe parts of the frame structure 29 of the semi-trailer 13 may be weldedtogether or secured to one another in any suitable manner. Since theparticular way in which these parts are secured together does not formany 3 particular feature of the invention, the pa ts have beenillustrated as having been welded.

Secured to the two frame members 3! and 32 of the frame structure 25!are bearings i. These bearings support a transverse shaft 52. A fifthWheel 53 overlies the semi-trailer frame structure at this locality andhas lugs 5d depending there from and which are journaled on the shaft52. By means of this construction, the fifth wheel 53 is mounted on thesemi-trailer 53. The king pin 28 on trailer i2 is adapted to engage thisfifth wheel and cooperates therewith in the customary manner.

In conjunction with the fifth wheel 23, a, movable king pin 55 isemployed which is best shown in Fig. 5. This king pin is Welded to theunder side of a slide 5'35 which rests upon the plate of the framestructure 29. The slide has a body portion ill and a neck extending cu"-wardly therefrom. The body portion 5? is guided between two guides Eland which are attached to the plate 35. The king pin 55 travels in aslot 63 formed in the plate 35. The guides 6i and 62 are constructedwith grooves 6 3 in which the edges of the body portion 5'? slide and bymeans of which the said body portion is held in position upon the plate35. The neck as of the slide 55 is similarly guided by means of a guideas on one side of the same and another guide on the other side of saidneck which extends for but a short distance along the said neck.

For holding the slide 56 in either of two positions, a bolt b? isemployed. This bolt is guided for movement along the guide 55 and alonganother guide also attached to the plate 35 and s in conjunction withthe guide 66 do the neck 55 of the slide 5%. Bolt 5? is held in positionby means of a finger t9 attached. to guide and which overlies said bolt.The bolt #3? is adapted to enter into a slot H disposed in the neck 53of slide 56 when the king pin 55 is in the position shown in Fig. 3.When said king pin is at the other end of the slot 63, and in theposition shown in Fi l, the bolt a! engages the end "l2 of the neck 58of slide 55 and holds the same in position. The bolt 6'! has secured toit a rod E3 which slides through a bearing secured to the plate 35. Acompression coil spring '5 encircles this rod and is seated at one endagainst the bearing i l and at its other end against the bolt El. Bymeans of this construction, the bolt is urged toward the slide and intoengagement with either the slot 'li or the end '52 of the slide 5&2.

For controlling the movement of the king pin 55, a lever employed. Thislever passes beneath the three transverse frame members 3, 3i and 3t andis pivoted to the frame member 355 by means of a bolt ii. The said leverhas a handle extending outwardly from the same and at substantiallyright angles thereto which projects outwardly beyond the frame structureas, where the said handle may be readily manipulated. A tension coilspring '59, anchored at one end to handle '43 and at its other end tothe bearing 5i, serves to move said lever in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Figs. 3 and l. The lever '56 has an abutment 3iwhich engages the end of the rod 53 attached to bolt [ii and whichserves to retract said bolt when the handle i8 is moved toward the left,as shown in Fig. 3.

Once the lever it has been moved toward the position shown in Fig. 3,the same remains in this position to permit of shifting the king pin 55and until said king pin has been moved to its other position. This isaccomplished by means of a construction now to be described in detail.Attached to the body portion 5? of slide 56 is an arm 82 which is offsetupwardly therefrom and which is parallel thereto. The end 83 of this armlies substantially in the plane of a shoulder a l formed on the lever 76when the said lever is in normal position. This construction holds thesaid lever in its position shown in Fig. 3 and against the action of thespring 19. In this position, the bolt ill is retracted from the neck 58of slide 56 and the king pin is free to move. Formed on the rea "wardend 25 of lever it are two cams 36 and 3?. These cams are adapted tocontact with the arm 82 and when the cam surface 88 of either thereofengages the said arm, the portion 35 of lever i5 is lifted and theshoulder 8 moved out of engagement with the end 83 of arm 32. Thispermits the lever it to swing to the position shown in Fig. 4 and alsopermits the bolt 85 to be urged by means of the spring '55 into itslatching position. These cam surfaces 538 are so positioned that thelever i6 is freed from the arm 82 when the slide 18 has been movedsufiiciently to bring the bolt 61 out of register with the slot ii orthe end 12 of neck 58.

When the semi-trailer is moved to its forward position, as shown in Fig.2, the same is locked from sw aging movement relative to the tractor M.This permits of more readily backing up the tractor and trailer and isaccomplished by means of a construction best shown in Fig. 2. Secured tothe plate 42 forming a portion of the frame structure fill of thesemi-trailer I3 is a U-shaped locking member 89 which has a forwardlyextending notch 98 formed therein. Cooperating with this notch is a key$2 in the form of a rod which is pivoted to the transverse frame r ofthe chassis It of tractor H, as indicated at 93. The key 52 has pivotedto it at a locality above the locking member 89 an upwardly extendingrod which is slidably mounted in a bracket 85 secured to the chassis iof tractor ii. A compression coil spring 96 encircles this rod and bearsat one end against the bracket 95 and at its other end against a collar97 mounted on said rod. This spring urges the key 92 to its positionshown in Fig. 2 in which the same lies within the notch ill of thelocking member 89, which movement is terminated by means of two nuts 98screwed upon the end of the rod M. In the event that the semi-trailer ispushed beyond its limits in the movement of the same toward the tractoror the key $2 is not received in the notch M, the key 92 moves forwardlyagainst the pressure of the sprin 96, thereby yielding preventingbreakage of the same.

operation of th invention is as follows: When the tractor ii is movedforwardly, the semi-trailer i3 is disposed as shown in Fig. 1 and thesame swivels on the fif h wheel 23 when the tractor and trailer arepassing about a'curve. Also, the trailer swivels on the fifth wheel 53.When trailers and tractors utilizing a semi--tractor and whenconstructed in the ordinary manner, are backed up, the semi-trailerfrequently jack: knifes, thus preventing proper reverse movement of thetrailer. With my invention in the normal position, the king pin 55 is atits forwardmost position in slot -83 as shown in Fig. 3 and the lever 76is in the position shown in Fig. 4. The bolt fil in suchposition,engages the slot ll, and holds the king pin from longitudinal movement;

When it is desired to back up the truck, the lever 16 is swung in aclockwise direction, which is accomplished by moving the handle 18forwardly. This brings shoulder 84 of said handle opposite the end 83 ofarm 82 and through the weight of the said lever and handle, said leverdrops into a position in which the same engages said arm. This holds thelever in the position shown in Fig. 3. At the same time, the abutment 8!forces the bolt 61 out of engagement with slot H and the slide 56 is nowfree to move. At this time, the truck may be backed up and since thetrailer and semi-trailer are stationary, the forwardly extendingportions 34 of the frame structure 29 slide upon the fifth wheel 23 fromthe position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2. Also, the slide 56slides from its position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4 movingthe king pin from the forward end of the slot 63 to the rearward endthereof. When the slot H in neck 58 has passed the end of the bolt 61,cam 86 disengages lever 16 from arm 82 and the said lever moves into theposition shown in Fig. 4. The bolt 61 is now free to enter in front ofthe neck 58 when the slide 56 reaches its rearmost position, as shown inFig. 4. When the parts are so disposed, the semi-trailer is locked fromlateral movement by means of the key 92 which has entered into the notch9! in the locking member 89. In this position, the Wheels of thesemi-trailer have been brought relatively close to the wheels of thetractor. When so positioned, the trailer may be backed up as if thesemi-trailer were not present, since jackknifing of the same becomesimpossible. With the wheels of the semi-trailer brought up closely tothe wheels of the trailer, side-swiping of the semi-trailer wheels isreduced to a minimum and the wear of the tires of the wheels on thetractor and semi-trailer is greatly reduced. When it is desired to againtravel forward, lever 18, which occupies the same position as shown inFig. 4, is again moved to its position shown in Fig. 3 and held in suchposition by the arm 82. This frees the bolt 51 from engagement with theend of the slide 56. By now moving the tractor forwardly, the slide 56is moved forwardly. As soon as the end 12 of the neck 58 passes the bolt65, lever 16 is now released by means of cam 87 and the same againassumes the position shown in Fig. 4. Upon the king pin 55 arriving atthe forward end of the slot 63, bolt 61 snaps into the slot H and locksthe king pin in position.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. By means of theconstruction employed, jackknifing of the semi-trailer is prevented whenthe tractor is backed up. By bringing the wheels of the semi-trailerclose to the Wheels of the tractor, side-swiping of the tractor andtrailer wheels is materially reduced. With my invention, trailersemploying semi-trailers can be successfully backed up. My improvedconstruction can be employed with semi-trailers with a minimum ofalteration thereof. My improved construction is easy to operate, beingmerely required to manipulate the same lever in the same manner whetherthe trailer is to be moved forwardly or rearwardly. After the lever hasbeen manipulated, shifting of the king bolt is automaticallyaccomplished by operating the tractor in the proper direction andlocking of the king bolt in position is automatically accomplished whenthe same reaches its proper position. My invention is fool-proof inconstruction and requires a minimum of ingenuity and effort to operate.

Changes in the specific form of my invention,

as herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimedwithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with the fifth wheel of a tractor, a semi-trailerhaving a frame structure overlying said fifth wheel, a slide mounted onsaid frame structure and guided for longitudinal movement relativethereto, a king pin carried by said slide for cooperation with saidfifth wheel, said slide being moved along said guide upon relativemovement of said tractor and semitrailer to change the longitudinalspacing of the wheels of said semi-trailer and tractor, a bolt movabletransversely of said slide and latching means on said slide forengagement with said bolt to hold said slide and king pin fromlongitudinal movement relative to the frame structure, a lever forretracting said bolt from engagement with .said slide, locking meansoperated by the slide for holding said lever in bolt-retracting positionand means operated by said slide for releasing said lever when thelatching means of the slide is out of register with said bolt.

2. In combination with the fifth wheel of a tractor, a semi-trailerhaving a frame structure overlying said fifth wheel, a slide mounted onsaid frame structure and guided for longitudinal movement relativethereto, a king pin carried by said slide for cooperation with saidfifth wheel, said slide being moved along said guide upon relativemovement of said tractor and semitrailer to change the longitudinalspacing of the wheels of said semi-trailer and tractor, a bolt movabletransversely of said slide and latching means on said slide forengagement with said bolt to hold said slide and king pin fromlongitudinal movement relative to the frame structure, a lever forretracting said bolt from engagement with said slide, locking meansoperated by the slide for holding said lever in bolt-retracting positionand cam means rendered operable upon movement of the slide for freeingsaid lever when the bolt is out of register with said latching means.

3. In combination with a tractor, a semitrailer pivotally connected tosaid tractor, guide means for guiding said tractor and semi-trailer forrelative longitudinal movement to vary the distance between the wheelsof the semi-trailer and tractor, a locking member on said semitrailer, asecond locking member on said tractor for engagement with said lockingmember on said trailer the locking member on said semitrailer beingdisposed rearwardly of and in the path of movement of the locking memberon said tractor and being adapted to be brought into operative relationwith the locking member on said tractor when the wheels of the tractorare moved toward the wheels of the semi-trailer.

4. In combination, a tractor having rear driving wheels and a fifthwheel, a semi-trailer having a frame structure and supporting wheelstrailing the driving wheels of said tractor, a support on saidsemi-trailer, means acting between said frame structure and support forguiding said support for longitudinal movement relative to said framestructure, and a king pin on said support for cooperation with saidfifth wheel, said support when in a forward position causing spacing ofsaid wheels a distance sufficient to accommodate articulation of thetruck and semi-trailer when traveling in a forward direction, saidsupport when in a rearward position bringing said wheels injuxtaposition to accommodate backing of the tractor and semitrailer.

5. In combination, a tractor having rear driving wheels and a fifthwheel, a semi-trailer having a frame structure and supporting v heelstrailing the driving wheels of said tractor, a support on saidsemi-trailer, means acting between said frame structure and supportiorguiding said support for longitudinal movement relative to said framestructure, a king .pin on said support for cooperation with said fifthWheel, said support when in a forward position causing spacing of saidwheels a distance suflioient to accome modate articulation of the truckand semi-trailer when traveling in a forward direction, said sup-: ortin a rearward position bringing said wheels in juxtaposition toaccommodate backing of the tractor and s trailer, and locking means forrestraining articulation between said tractor and semi-trailer when saidsupport is in rearwardv position. a

6. In combination, a tractor having rear driving wheels and a fifthwheel, a semi-trailer having a frame structure and supporting wheelstrailing the driving wheels of said tractor, a Subport on said semitrailer, means acting between said frame structure and support forguiding said support for longitudinal movement relative to iramestructure, a king pin on said support for cooperation with said fifthwheel, said support when in a forward position causing spacing saidwheels a distance sufficient to accommodate articulation of the truckand semi-trailer when traveling in a forward direction, said supportwhen in a rearward position bringing said wheels in juxtaposition toaccommodate backing of the tractor and semi-trailer, and locking meansfor holding said support in either of its extreme positions.

EARL K. PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Date

